We don’t just plan weddings — we create breathing room. We build structure around the chaos and replace “Where do I even start?” with a deep exhale.
If you’re new around here, we’re Well-Dressed Events — New Jersey’s premier style-centric wedding, party, and event planning company. We specialize in high-end, unique events for modern, bold, standout clients, and we pride ourselves on cutting-edge, creative design, styling, and event management. Whether you’re planning a black-tie city soirée or a modern garden party, our approach stays the same: calm, strategic, and always two steps ahead.
Because here’s the truth: timing matters. And when you know what to book when, wedding planning becomes less about chasing deadlines and more about confidently moving forward with a partner who’s already guiding the way.
12–14 Months Before the Wedding: Start With Your Foundation
Before you fall in love with a florist or get swept up in gown shopping, you need to set the stage. This is when your biggest decisions get made — and they’ll shape everything that follows.
Hire Your Wedding Planner
You knew we’d say this first — and for good reason. Booking a planner early gives you a strategic partner from the very beginning. We help define your vision, build your budget, recommend trusted vendors, and keep you from going down any unnecessary rabbit holes (looking at you, three-hour Pinterest scrolls).
At Well-Dressed Events, we offer two full-service planning experiences tailored to your style:
- The Concierge: For those who want to stay hands-on but still have an expert in their corner. Planning begins right after booking — typically 12–18 months out. We provide structure, planning tools, and guidance to keep everything moving smoothly. From your first strategy call to the final send-off, nothing gets missed.
- The Co-Creator: Designed for organized clients who want to lead the charge — but not go it alone. You manage early planning with our plans, and we step in actively around the 3-month mark to bring it all together with precision and polish.
Book Your Venue
Your venue dictates your wedding date, your guest count, and often your overall aesthetic. In New Jersey, especially during peak seasons (May–October), venues book out fast — sometimes over a year in advance. We recommend touring venues as early as possible once your planner is in place and your guest list is roughly outlined.
Secure Your Officiant
Whether it’s a close friend, a religious leader, or a professional officiant, don’t wait too long to book them. Their calendar fills up quickly, especially if you’re getting married on a Saturday.
10–12 Months Out: Lock In the Creative Team
Now that the framework is built, it’s time to bring in your creatives — the people who will help tell your story visually and emotionally.
Photographer & Videographer
These two book fast, especially in NJ where the best-of-the-best are in high demand. Your planner will help match you with talent whose style, personality, and workflow align with your priorities. Bonus: they often book as a team, so locking them in early ensures cohesion and ease.
Caterer (if not included with venue)
If your venue doesn’t provide in-house catering, start tastings and proposals now. Food is one of the most remembered parts of a wedding day — and the right caterer will help you customize an experience that feels like you.
Band or DJ
Your entertainment sets the tone for your reception, and the best talent goes fast. Start by deciding what kind of energy you want (classic live band vs. curated DJ set), then lean on your planner’s recommendations to find someone who can bring that energy to life.
8–10 Months Out: Details That Define the Day
Now that your big-ticket vendors are locked in, it’s time to build on the details that create the full experience.
Florist
Your floral designer is more than someone who makes pretty bouquets. They’re part of your creative team, collaborating with your planner and designer to build a cohesive event that feels layered, intentional, and uniquely yours.
Hair and Makeup Artists
Especially in the Tri-State area, glam teams book up quickly for wedding weekends. You’ll want to schedule trials a few months before the wedding, but getting your contracts signed early means you’ll have your dream team locked in.
Rental Companies & Specialty Decor
From vintage lounge furniture to velvet napkins and custom signage — this is the time to start dreaming beyond the basics. Your planner will help you layer in these elements and coordinate with rental companies to avoid last-minute stress.
6–8 Months Out: The Personal Touches
Now that the core team is in place, we move into personalization. This is when the wedding really starts to feel like you.
Stationery Designer
Save-the-dates go out around the 6–8 month mark, so you’ll want to start designing well before that. Custom stationery adds a beautiful first impression of your wedding day — and sets the tone for what’s to come.
Transportation
If you have a large wedding party, multiple venues, or a hotel block, book transportation now. Limos, sprinter vans, or classic cars — your planner will help handle the logistics so you’re not scrambling the month before.
Attire for Wedding Party
Now’s the time to finalize dresses, suits, and any custom fittings. This gives plenty of time for shipping, alterations, and those last-minute second guesses (we’ve all been there).
3–6 Months Out: Wrapping Up the Loose Ends
With your date approaching, things start to move a little faster — but the heavy lifting is done. This is the time for confirming, finalizing, and filling in the gaps.
Order Wedding Rings
Classic, engraved, custom, or vintage — give yourself enough time for resizing and any custom details.
Book Hotel Blocks
This is a key guest experience detail. A planner can help coordinate location, pricing, and timelines so your guests feel taken care of.
Schedule Tastings, Walkthroughs & Final Consultations
Your planner will manage the logistics of vendor check-ins, tastings, and walkthroughs so nothing falls through the cracks. You just show up and enjoy the process.
1–2 Months Out: It’s Almost Go Time
You’re in the home stretch, and your planner is working behind the scenes to finalize timelines, reconfirm vendors, and prepare for the big day. You? You get to breathe.
Final RSVP Follow-Up
Your planner can help chase down those last few guests and update your seating chart.
Create a Day-Of Timeline
This is one of the most important parts of your wedding planning — and your planner will take the lead to ensure every vendor knows where to be and when.
Beauty Prep
Final haircuts, facials, tan trials, and touch-ups should all be scheduled by now. Your photos will last a lifetime — and this is your moment to look and feel your absolute best. Build in extra time for glow-ups, self-care, and deep breaths.
1 Week Before: Confirm, Pack, and Protect Your Peace
This is where the beauty of planning ahead really pays off. Your vendors are lined up, your timeline is locked, and your planner is working behind the scenes like a quiet storm of logistics and magic. You? You’re soaking it all in.
- Final vendor confirmations (arrival times, load-in access, final balances)
- Print and pack the timeline for key players
- Prep final payments + gratuity envelopes
- Pack your wedding-day emergency kit (don’t worry — we’ll bring one too)
- Check attire, accessories, and travel logistics
- MOST IMPORTANT: Rest, hydrate, and give yourself space to feel the joy
If you’ve chosen The Co-Creator or The Concierge service from Well-Dressed Events, this is the phase where you truly get to step back. We’re in the lead now — communicating with vendors, troubleshooting logistics, and making sure everyone and everything shows up where it’s supposed to.
Wedding Day: Calm, Clear, and Completely Present
The morning of your wedding shouldn’t feel frantic. It should feel exciting, grounding, and real. With a professional planner running the show, you won’t have to ask where your bouquet is, check if your caterer arrived, or coordinate the groomsmen who forgot to steam their suits.
This is your permission slip to stay fully in the moment — because we’ve got it handled.
To Put A Bow On It!
Here’s what we’ve learned after planning weddings all across New Jersey: couples don’t just need a to-do list — they need a steady hand. Someone who’s done it before. Someone who sees what’s coming before it arrives and answers the question you didn’t even know you had.
Whether you need full-service support from day one or just want someone to step in and finish strong, Well-Dressed Events is here to guide you with calm, clarity, and just the right amount of creative edge.
So if your wedding vision is starting to take shape and you’re ready to feel good — not just busy — about planning, let’s make it official.
Book your consultation today, and let’s build something beautiful.
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